Thewesternbalkans.
Recent global political shifts, particularly Donald Trump’s return to the White House and the new U.S. administration’s approach, are reshaping transatlantic relations and impacting Serbia’s internal politics. Analysts predicted that such changes could embolden nationalist leaders, especially in the Western Balkans.
Serbia’s Dual Narrative on Protests
As student-led protests continue, President Aleksandar Vučić and Serbian officials have revived the “color revolution” narrative, blaming foreign influence for attempts to destabilize the country. At a pro-government rally on 15 February, Vučić claimed that organizations like USAID, NED (National Endowment for Democracy) and EED (European Endowment for Democracy), were behind the protests, declaring their efforts had “failed.”
However, diplomatic sources and political analysts suggest that Belgrade is presenting two different narratives—internally, the government blames Western-backed “color revolutions,” while in talks with Western diplomats, they attribute the protests to Russian interference. This was highlighted by Filip Ejdus and former President Boris Tadić, who noted that Serbian officials in Munich were spreading claims that Russian secret services were behind the protests.
Strengthening Ties with Moscow
Despite these mixed messages, Serbia’s alignment with Russia is becoming increasingly evident:
Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov condemned Western interference and reaffirmed Serbia’s independent policy.
Deputy PM Aleksandar Vulin and Russian Security Chief Sergey Shoigu met to discuss strengthening ties and countering color revolutions.
Russia has openly supported Vučić’s government against alleged foreign destabilization efforts.
Conclusion: Serbia’s Political Balancing Act
Serbian leadership has long used foreign policy as a tool for domestic political gain, leveraging international tensions to maintain internal support. The government adapts its messaging depending on the audience, ensuring continued backing from key international players. The latest developments suggest that Serbia’s path to Moscow is fully restored, taking advantage of shifting global power dynamics to consolidate Vučić’s rule.
